The inorganic phase in dentinogenesis imperfecta.

The inorganic phase in dentin with dentinogenesis imperfecta was investigated, using the correlated techniques of high resolution TEM, X-ray diffraction analyses, infrared absorption spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and chemical and electron microprobe analyses. It was shown that crystallites in dentin with dentinogenesis imperfecta are of normal size (from 3 to 6 lattice planes thick), but less numerous than in normal dentin. Electron microprobe analyses indicated significant differences in the mineral content of dentin with dentinogenesis imperfecta compared to normal dentin. A higher Ca/P ratio, a loss in Ca and P, and a severe significant loss in Mg, corroborated by chemical analyses, were recorded. The main component of the inorganic phase in dentin with dentinogenesis imperfecta was found to be poorly crystallized carbonated apatite. It is suggested that the water content, greatly increased in dentin with dentinogenesis imperfecta, is at least partly related to lattice water tightly bound to the inorganic phase.